Austin P. Jennings, of Woodbury, Tennessee, USA, was elected international president of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the association's 71st annual convention, held in Denver, Colorado, USA, June 29-July 2, 1988.

Past International President Jennings is a jeweler, diamond broker, newspaper publisher and marketing specialist.

Community service comes natural to Past President Jennings. In addition to a heavy involvement with his Lions club, he led Multiple District 12 in raising US$4 million for the new Tennessee Lions Eye Center for Children. He is founder and president of the County Library Association, which funded, built and maintains the county library; founder of the Cannon County Historical Society and recently published a 544 page pictorial history of Cannon County. Past President Jennings also served for many years as Sunday school teacher and superintendent at First Baptist Church in Woodbury.

Upon his election as international president in 1988, Past President Jennings organized a Sight Symposium attended by world leaders in ophthalmology. From that meeting in Singapore came the program known today as SightFirst. He served as International Lead Gifts Coordinator for Campaign SightFirst.

For his many contributions to the association, Past President Jennings has received the Key Award, 16 International Presidents Awards and the highest honor bestowed upon members, the Ambassador of Good Will Award. He is a   Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

Past President Jennings and his wife, Carmine, also a Progressive Melvin Jones Member, have two children, Michael and Barbara, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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